I love this. Maine's branch of the ACLU is challenging game wardens! I am not sure how many of you are familiar with the laws but here in Michigan game wardens have broad powers to stop and search peoples vehicles and can do it in situations that state police could not.

It will be interesting to se how this turns out.

PORTLAND (AP) -- Civil libertarians are going to court to help defend of the rights of all-terrain vehicle riders, which they say have been violated by a Maine game warden's action.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union says the Fourth Amendment rights of the ATV driver were violated when he was stopped without justification by a game warden.

The state claimed that Maine law allows game wardens to detain ATV riders for any reason, but Superior Court in Aroostook County said wardens are bound by the constitutional prohibition on unreasonable search and seizure.

The state of Maine has appealed the order and the MCLU filed a brief with the Maine supreme court in support of the driver.

In Florida they are one boys you dont want to mess with. Marine patrol is another. They have broad powers to say the least and will make your life miserable. But have met some really nice ones locally.

Yeppers they can pretty much do as they'd like.

I will watch this case with interest. It has broad implications and I am sure it is an issue the government feels it has an important interest in. I can see this case possibly going far.

In Florida they take the molesting of a alligator very serious Big fine and jail. Don'T get caught over fishing or wrong size either..

Game Wardens

we call em Rabbit Rangers

It should be pointed out that license fees are an important source of money used to support environmental projects.

Hunters are major supporters of efforts like wet lands conservation and other programs that support wildlife.

Game wardens do an important job.

Still, the issue of their broad powers to stop, detain and search are a little alarming.

yeah but they have to have that to do their job. The people they are regulating are heavily armed and usually way out in the country away from any witnesses

They are a way of life in Florida. They will take everything you have got. State sales a great way to make money.

I remember when I was a kid a game warden was killed in the UP.

If I recall rightly two men were accused of the killing.

The community reaction was interesting. I clearly remember seeing fund raisers in many bars for their defense.

Game wardens are that reviled by some here.

I should see if I can find details of that case...

When I was just a wee youngster in Ohio. I lived next to one. The nicest guy to meet. He was the most feared

I have my grandpa's Conservation Office badge around here somewhere.

He was a mean old bastard haha

You can be arrest here on a mere 1/4" on the size of certain fish. Don'T mess with the snook, big mistake!!

Don'T molest your local alligator